Long time, no school

Dillon Chandler said he goes ice skating around four times a week.

With Texas students having three more weeks added to their summer vacation this year, he’ll have several more chances to hit the ice.

“I’m looking forward to playing some hockey and having some fun before I go to school,” said Dillon, who will be a fifth-grader at Barbara Jordan Elementary this year.

And while the state-mandated three additional weeks before the start of school can mean fun for kids, it can mean money for businesses catering to them.

Trevor Davies, manager of MCM Ice in Music City Mall, said his rink triples or quadruples its weekday business when students are off.

“Obviously, we’ll be able to put more money to our bills,” he said.

Although he’ll have to keep more employees until the Aug. 27 start of classes in the Ector County Independent School District, Davies said extra payroll costs are offset by additional business.

Across from Schlemeyer Field, Fun City manager Shane Scarborough said his amusement center usually stays closed during the week once school starts up. Still, he already sees business winding down for the summer, which he attributes to back-to-school shopping.

“Last week, we were busy all week,” he said. “This week, it’s slowed down.”

Austin McCarty’s face lit up when he learned he had an extra three weeks before starting fourth grade at LBJ Elementary.

The 9-year-old, who was playing miniature golf with a group from Odessa College’s child care center at Fun City, said he’ll take the extra time to go to Hawaii — or maybe not.

“I want to,” he said.

Larry Sanchez, assistant manager at Woodson Park Family Aquatic Center, said the pool would only stay open until Aug. 12. But it could stay open later on the calendar next year.

Candra Conger of Odessa, who takes her three children to the pool, said she hopes the state will make up its mind about a time to start school.

“It’s a first time, so I’m willing to try it. I kind of don’t like the idea of starting so late,” she said. “Either start them early or start after Labor Day.”